Is the Pope really the Servant of Servants?

[Cory_H]

In Scripture, Jesus says that those who desire to be first must be last, speaking to his disciples when they were arguing over who was the greatest in his Kingdom. Later, in the book of Acts, Peter is recorded as telling Cornelius to get up off the ground when he came and fell down at Peter’s feet. My question is this: Why does the Pope have so much authority, power, respect, homage, etc., when Scripture is very clear that we as God’s people, and especially the clergy, are to be servants of God, and not to be served?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

The pope is the Vicar of Christ and he is Servant of the Servants of God in imitation of Christ who is the ultimate Servant. Christ himself said of service and respect given to him:

Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me [in anointing him with costly ointment]. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me” (Mark 14:6-7).

… and:

You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am (John 13:13).

The honors and respect given to the pope are not for him personally, but for Christ whom he specially represents and makes present on earth.